Diverse Group of Youth Stage Creative LNG Pipeline Protest in Medford

posted by Hannah Sohl | 439.80sc
August 07, 2015

MEDFORD, OR– Youth climate justice advocates plan to stage creative protests against the proposed Jordan Cove Energy Project at 11:30 at the Vogel Plaza in Medford today. The youth will display large banners, enact a symbolic "die in," perform passionate spoken word and march in procession with supporters from the local No LNG Campaign. Before congregating in downtown Medford, the group will deliver a symbolic message to Pacific Connector at their office on Highway 62, denying them a permit to "destroy the future." Issues ranging from climate destabilization to the disruption of Indigenous burial grounds unite the group around a common cause to stop the pipeline. Read full press release from the youth below.

MEDFORD, OR– Youth climate justice advocates plan to stage creative protests against the proposed Jordan Cove Energy Project at 11:30 at the Vogel Plaza in Medford today. The youth will display large banners, enact a symbolic "die in," perform passionate spoken word and march in procession with supporters from the local No LNG Campaign. Before congregating in downtown Medford, the group will deliver a symbolic message to Pacific Connector at their office on Highway 62, denying them a permit to "destroy the future." Issues ranging from climate destabilization to the disruption of Indigenous burial grounds unite the group around a common cause to stop the pipeline.

The proposed LNG pipeline project would rip a hole through Southern Oregon’s scenic forests by requiring a 95-foot clearcut for the entire 232-miles pipeline route. Drilling for the pipeline threatens water quality in four major rivers, including the Klamath, the Umpqua, the Rogue, and the Coos. It would also require more than 400 stream crossings that are home to native salmon that would be harmed by increased sedimentation and elevated temperatures.

The LNG Pipeline project, including the power plant required to run the export terminal, would become the largest greenhouse gas emitter in Oregon after 2020.

“This pipeline will further destroy the planet for future generations,” said Ciyin Oliveira, a youth activist. “It's past time we put the needs and rights of the people and the planet over profits and abandon this pipeline proposal immediately.”

The youth climate activists gathered at an action camp this week at Howard Prairie Lake hosted by the Civil Liberties Defense Center, the Vancouver Action Network and the Backbone Campaign to connect and organize. Participants include teens from across the Pacific Northwest and several youth members of the Yurok and Hoopa Tribes from Northern California.

“It is key for a strong community and nation that our leaders not allow private financial interests to interfere with the needs of future generations and our environment,” said Josephine Wallace, a youth from Phoenix, Oregon. “I have the right as a young Oregonian to experience a healthy environment as past generations did, and not be cheated out of that for corporate profit.”

The youth have joined the growing “No LNG” campaign. The coalition includes impacted landowners, conservationists, tribal members, climate activists, and many others committed to preventing the Jordan Cove Energy Project.